![Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [‎28r] (55/106)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0001f0/IOR_L_PS_12_1958_0056.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [‎28r] (55/106)")
Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [28r] (55/106)
The record is made up of 1 file (51 folios). It was created in 26 Jul 1926-5 Feb 1929. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Afghan Air "Force.
(Stationed at Sherpur Aerodrome—Kabul).
The following report on the Afghan Air Force is compiled from personal
observations made, in addition to conversations with Russian and Afghan
pilots and other personnel of the Air Force, on Sherpur Aerodrome during the
period 18th December 1928 and 3rd January 1929.
Owing to the present conditions and situation in general it has been
impossible to gain access to hangars, workshops and Headquarters ohices, so
that no information on the undermentioned points can be given at present:—
(а) Number of unserviceable aeroplanes.
(б) Number that can be made serviceable in addition to those in use.
(c) Facilities and capabilities of workshops.
(d) Efficiency of mechanics.
(e) Spares available.
(/) Number of bomb racks and aerial guns available,
1. Strength —
(a) Aircraft .—The undermentioned aircraft are serviceable and are in
use at present :—
7 D. H. 9-As. (Russian type—Liberty engine).
1 Henry Potez (single engine, French type).
7 Junker monoplanes (single engine type).
1 Junker monoplane (three engine type—King’s aeroplane).
■(b) Personnel—'
12 Russian pilots.
10 Afghan pilots.
2 German pilots (one solely for King’s aeroplane).
5 Subordinate officers.
2 German mechanics (King’s aeroplane).
12 Afghan mechanics.
3 Russian mechanics.
\ ery few Afghan pilots fly and are chiefly employed on aerodrome <n lar d
duties or else as messengers for the Air Force Commandant. No definite
ground duties other than above are allotted to them
The whole of the organisation and administration is carried out by the
Commandant and Assistant Commandant in conjunction with Russian pilots.
Russian pilots are chiefly responsible for the flying and maintenance o£
Hk aeroplanes m the Afghan Air lorce. Sometimes mechanics fly as “air
gunners and at other times Afghan pilots fly as “ observers”. Whenever
there are any important flying duties to be carried out Russian pilots prefer
Russians as observers ’ or “ air gunners”. ^ F
The Commandant, Muhammed Ihsan Khan, who was trained in Italy
f u ar9 > 19 eons.dered a bad pilot and very seldom flies. Apart from the
fact that his living capabilities are not worth considering, it is considered that
Force* 1 Ca ^ a ^ le Commandant and exercises full control of the Air
I he Assistant Commandant, Muhammed Hashim, who
Italy, is far below the average ” as a pilot and only flies
Russian pilots.
w'as also trained in
as an observer with
About this item
- Content
The file contains a number of reports submitted by Francis Henry Humphrys, HM Minister at Kabul, regarding the Afghan Air Force and the development of aviation in Afghanistan. These reports generally provide information on the following: the aircraft in use, the personnel employed, the armament available, the equipment and fuel stores, details on flight operations, and ground facilities.
Two particularly substantial reports included are as follows:
- A report on a conversation held by HM Minister with Mr Patwardhan of the Afghan Air Force in September 1926 (see folio 46).
- A report dated 7 January 1929 by C W L Trusk of the Royal Air Force on observations made between 18 December 1928 and 7 January 1929 (see folios 9-26 typed copy, and folios 27-32 for printed copy).
The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (51 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 53; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 9-26; these numbers are also written in pencil or printed, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [28r] (55/106), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/1958, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037998107.0x000038> [accessed 15 November 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037998107.0x000038
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037998107.0x000038">Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’ [‎28r] (55/106)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100037998107.0x000038"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0001f0/IOR_L_PS_12_1958_0056.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0001f0/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/1958
- Title
- Coll 5/13 ‘Afghanistan: Reports on condition of Afghan Air Force’
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:52v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence